MILLVILLE ­-- Commissioner Jim Parent will not seek reelection in the May municipal election this year.

The Millville head of public works announced he would allow his term to expire at Tuesday's city commission meeting. He declined to comment on his decision outside of a few statements early in the meeting.

"I will not be seeking a sixth term on the city commission," said Parent addressing his fellow commissioners and residents in attendance. "I've enjoyed my 20 years and five terms on the commission.

"I know people will say, 'Oh, why didn't you wait for the last minute to announce,' but it's never been my style to wait until the last minute."

The announcement comes after a recent vacation in Florida for the commissioner. Parent added he will discuss the reasons for his decision in the "weeks and months to come."

"I just feel that I owed it to the other commissions and the public," he said. "And also people who may want to run."